Following on from exiting that dangerous bakery, the 'date' continued and the three of us spearheaded onwards to our next destination, the picnic spot.

In stark contrast to the simplicity of a picnic, the location I decided on was extravagant... to say the least.

It was atop a scenic hill with a rather apt history behind it, considering the current occasion.

Multiple millennia ago, upon that very hill stood a village of mundane mortals.

Nothing special, right?

Wrong.

As the tale went, one fateful day the heavens sent a soft and enchanting beam of light down onto one very specific house within the village, basking it in its beauty.

This house was said to be the residence of an elderly couple who had stayed true to each other throughout the entirety of their lives and never stopped adoring and treasuring one another.

On the exact day this heavenly phenomenon took place, the wife was expected to die.

She'd been afflicted with a nasty illness for quite some time now, and her old age was catching up to her- there was nothing that could help her.

The village doctors, priests and even the couple's children and grandchildren believed her time had finally come.

All had given up hope and accepted it as an inevitability... except for one person.

The old husband.

Night and day. for god knows how long, the man devotedly tended to all his wife's needs caring not about his own pains and difficulties.

Even with the risk of him catching the disease, the man never left his wife's side worrying if she'd feel lonely.

Even with all the pain brought by the movement of his old and worn body, he woke up every day brewing tea and cooking for his wide, worried she would ever get hungry.

All the man ever did was worry about her.

Everyone in the village was long touched by this show of devotion...

...and it seems the heavens were too.

As the beam of light struck the old couple inside the house, the wear and tear of time on both their bodies reversed instantly!

The couple's wrinkly and saggy skin turned luscious and smooth.

Their weak and fragile bodies regained the strength they once had.

They became youthful once more!

But the party didn't end there.

The light acted as if it were a hoover and sucked them up towards the sky slowly.

Once they were high enough that the entire village could see them, all the villagers dropped what they were doing and looked up into the sky in awe!

Then they vanished, out of sight, never to be seen again.

Presumably, they entered the heavenly realm, a paradise, where all dreams will come true.

The end.

The moral of this was supposed to be that faithfulness was a virtue that even the heavens appreciate and that without such a virtue one was going to incur divine retribution... or something along those lines.

Not that I really gave a toss about some obviously made-up story as lame as that, the only reason I learned a bit about this was to make the picnic even more romantic and let Wu Yan show his broad knowledge by letting him tell the story.

After all, most girls like heartfelt history like this... I think.

Moving on, It was still within question how the three of us were meant to leave this colossal capital and get there in a reasonable time, but there was actually already a solution to this.

Flying with a spirit sword!

All three of us had reached the stage where, with the assistance of a spirit sword, flying became possible.

Though this would not address the next biggest issue which was that flying around within the city- especially in highly populated areas- was strictly prohibited for normal cultivators as only those with special permission, or city guards, were allowed to fly around.

The reason for this was so that no unexpected accidents or such happenings would occur, but more importantly, this rule was implemented to show off the royal family's authority and prestige!

How domineering of a rule is it that one cannot even move around as they please if it is within an area under the jurisdiction of the royal family?!

Honestly, when I first heard of this rule I realised that I had severely underestimated how ostentatious and face-loving the royal family was!

Anyways, the solution to this problem was also pretty straightforward.

Were any of us normal people?

Of course not!

We even had a member of royalty with us, the capital can basically be considered our playground!

So quite obviously, we didn't have to give it another thought before we hopped onto our swords and zoomed away.

Guards with solemn frowns on their faces came to stop us in our tracks, however, they quickly changed their attitude after seeing the young prince, and hurriedly gave way not daring to interrupt our trip.

Like that, we turned a trip that would typically take around half a day into a matter of around an hour.

Upon landing on the grassy green hill that was covered in a variety of vividly coloured wildflowers and vegetation, it was already early afternoon and the sun was high in the sky showering warmth down to everything below.

Seeing that the weather was indeed pleasant, I couldn't help but let out another small sigh of relief and thank the sun god for his magnanimity- As it would truly be tragic if, after all this effort, the downfall of rain would become my downfall!

Whilst I was still mulling over a few things and lost in thought, Wu Yan grabbed the attention of Chen Ru and excitedly pointed to a *cough* *cough* totally natural and definitely not pre-arranged spot.

"Look Elder Sister!

"That place looks perfect for the picnic!

"It's got some rocks and logs we can comfortably sit on, as well as a tree that can provide some shade!"

Chen Ru, who seemed to be in a slight trance from the natural beauty of it all, snapped out of it and said with a small smile on her face,

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

"Yeah, sounds good Yan Yan!

"Didn't know you were so good a finding ideal picnic spots!"

After hearing that, with a grin on his face, Wu Yan grabbed Chen Ru's wrist and walked with her up to the spot leaving me behind.

As I watched them both charge away with excitement drawn on their faces and their respective bags of food in hand, I couldn't help but have a small smile on my face and mentally pat myself on the back.

Sure, I haven't managed to get Chen Ru ensnared in our dragon prince's charms, however, the situation was now far less tense than at the start and I could see that they were both genuinely enjoying the outing.

Chen Ru no longer forced her smiles and on many occasions she had initiated conversations with Wu Yan, leading to lasting discussions and great laughs.

Wu Yan was also no longer a living strawman. He seemed to have finally shed his crippling nervousness and was now talking a lot more concisely and confidently than before, and his gait was a lot easier and more relaxed.

In all honesty, I wasn't so delusional as to expect any major advancements in their relationship from this and certainly was not hoping for Wu Yan to capture Chen Ru's heart.

This wasn't some dating simulator where saying a few set words and doing a few actions would switch up the whole dynamic.

No.

What I wanted was for Wu Yan to not be so pressured by my presence around Chen Ru and to make him see that I was not his rival or anything.

...Plus, helping myself in the long run by getting these two nuisances off my back wasn't bad.

So it was a win-win overall!

As long as nothing goes explosively wrong, then I'll have mediated some interpersonal issues and also pre-ordered a spot into an OP person's good books!

After a few more brief moments of praising my own genius, I heard a call from both of them telling me to hurry up and sit down as they wanted to start eating their food.

Feeling a bit impatient myself, I quickly made my way towards our picnic spot which was merely a few meters away, and I plopped down onto a rock that was positioned close by to where the other two were sitting.

Without further ado, I hastily whipped out one of the rice balls I had.

My eyes lit up as soon as it appeared within my vision, the rice ball looked incredible!

The white rice it was made of was almost shining, whereas the seaweed wrapped around part of it had a rich and deep dark green pigment. Its texture in my hand was fluffy yet firm.

Combined with the fact that my current setting was atop an idyllic hill with verdant vegetation and beautiful views, I couldn't help but feel that life's good!

Unable to resist any longer, my mouth opened wide and I quickly brought the rice ball closer ready to gleefully chomp down on it, however, a thundering snort from behind startled my poor self causing me to drop the precious meal in my hand.

Within a split second, an intense rush of frustration and despair rose within me as I witnessed my precious rice ball fall onto the ground floor with a heart-wrenching 'plop' resounding as it received impact.

As if the natural laws of the world were compelling me, my head spun round at the speed of light so that I could get a glimpse of the insolent bastard that presumed they'd be capable of getting away scot-free after pulling such a heinous act!

'Wasn't it common sense that one man does not interrupt another man's feast?!'

'Why couldn't people here have some goddamn tact?'

Sadly, just like how a man's hairline recedes in what feels like a blink of an eye, so too did any rebelliousness or dissatisfaction quell after seeing just who the 'bastard' was.

The individual, or should I say individuals, stood a few meters away from us.

One was a tall, stern-looking man with radiant blond hair that wore an elegant golden robe, he had a handsome and angular face that looked somewhat similar to Wu Yan.

Next to the man was a stunning lady looking to be not a year older than thirty, her long, silky black hair was tied up in a ball and held together by a jade pin, and she was draped in an elegant and modest light purple robe.

My eyebrows raised, and I was shell-shocked by the sudden appearance of these two impressive-looking individuals, however, what really dumbfounded me was...

...that they hadn't even spared me a mere glance!

What the fuck!?

Did I have a hidden talent for being low-key, or was I really just that irrelevant?

Before I had time to even ask any questions, the booming voice of the stern man spoke once more, his tone carrying immense authoritativeness as he talked,

"All prepare to receive His Royal Majesty's imperial edict!"

As he finished his sentence a bolt of shock crashed into me, almost forcing me to let out an exasperated gasp, and a cold shiver also accompanied my shock as if warning me something majorly bad was about to go down.

Thankfully though, I was able to keep some of my wits and spontaneously dropped down onto the ground and knelt, before any claims of treason were to be thrown at me.

It seemed like everyone else had also followed suit, as the man's voice continued with the contents of the edict,

"As per the will of the emperor, Chen Ru, daughter of Chen Long, is to hereby be urgently brought back to the palace to prepare for the engagement ceremony between her and the fifth prince, Wu Hai.

"Any rebuttal or resistance is unpardonable and will not be tolerated."

'EHHHHHH, just what the hell is going on here?!'

Hearing the sheer nonsense that had just been spat in my face, my eyes were as wide as saucers and I could no longer resist going slack-jawed!

Feeling the need to get my mind off it a bit, I scanned the place only to find that both Chen Ru and the stern man had suddenly vanished into thin air!

Following this unexpected development, I could only face Wu Yan for answers, however, the boy seemed to be keeping his head down on the ground as if he were desperately trying to hide his identity from someone.

A voice accompanied by a weary sigh rang out, this time though the voice was a soothing and melodious one that could shake the souls of even the most heartless men,

"Prince Yan, Her Majesty is unimaginably disappointed by your actions.

"Are you aware of how uncouth and disgraceful it is not to attend a respected teacher's lecture that is for your own good?

"Your mother expects a lot from you my prince, and this betrayal you have caused has broken her heart.

"Now, by your mother's orders, you will return and apologise to the Imperial Tutor, then repent for your misdeeds."

Without a moment of delay, both the beautiful lady and Wu Yan flashed and disappeared from my vision as if they weren't there at all.

"Ugh... what?"

I bewilderedly blinked a few times and tried to process all the absurd events that had just taken place within the span of a few minutes, then after a while, I unwittingly heaved out a long, exhausted sigh.

It was just me and I now.

Everyone else has disappeared like the wind.

Before long, I had accepted it as a usual Xianxia happenstance and comfortably plopped myself down onto the fluffy grass then lay there relaxedly with a blank look in my eyes.

After a few moments of dejected stillness and sky-gazing, I used my Qi to suction a brown bag to me and grabbed a rice ball out of it.

I then popped it into my mouth casually and munched on it while I thought to myself,

Fuck.

She was hot.

No, she was seriously hot.

I should have just fucked the imperial edict altogether and asked for her communication jade number the moment they arrived!

...What now?

...Hmmm, actually!

Maybe Wu Yan isn't so much of a nuisance after all!

...

A couple of hours later, arriving back at the Chen Clan mansion with a dubious smile drawn on his face, Bu Cai stepped foot into the living room where Chen Fei and Chen Gaunting were both kneeling on pillows at either side of a desk, playing a game of Go with solemn expressions on their faces.

Suddenly, Chen Fei let out a high pitch 'Damn it' filled with frustration, and then said in a defeated tone,

"Haaah, Uncle Guanting you really are a tough opponent, fair enough.

"But next time will definitely not go the same way, mark my words!"

After giving his usual 'I'm a sore loser' speech, he turned his head around a bit to face me, then after a moment of looking around he raised an eyebrow and asked with a tinge of curiosity,

"Hey Bu Cai, what happened to Ru'er? Wasn't she with you?"

Chen Guanting also looked over awaiting my reply, and in response to this, I couldn't help but shake my head in disappointment after seeing they cared so little about Chen Ru's affairs!

I mean I know it's hypocritical coming from me, but how can you not know of your own sister's engagement?!

I clicked my tongue a few times making a loud 'tut' sound each time I did so, and shook my head a bit then said,

"What do you mean, 'where is she'?

"Obviously, she returned to the palace for her engagement ceremony upon being ordered from an imperial edict!

"I mean come!

"I can understand me being kept in the dark about this, but how come you-"

"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY???????!!!!

"ENGAGEMENT?

"ENGAGEMENT TO WHOM?!"

Almost within an instant, Chen Fei's high-pitched squeal cut me off as he jumped up from his seat as if he were a cat who just had his tail stomped on!

My expression turned strange after hearing him crazily shout, however, I didn't get much chance to say anything else as very quickly he approached me, clamped his hand on my shoulders, and gave me a firm shake while saying in a disorderly tone,

"Who?... Which one?... please don't tell me it's-"

Seeing his peculiar persistence, and taking it as him just being an overprotective brother who can't seem to let go of his sister, I said to him in the nicest way possible,

"Ehhh, it was Wu Hai, the fifth prince if I remember corre-!"

Not even waiting for me to finish my words, Chen Fei let out an indignant howl,

"NOOOOOOO, NOT HIM!

"ANYONE BUT HIM"

"DAMN YOU, SHITTY EMPEROR! YOU RODENT-LIKE BASTARD!

"STUPID, GREEDY, SELFISH SON OF A..."

After shooting out an uncountable number of profanities and insults as if he were a drunk sailor, Chen Fei's twisted expression of rage and annoyance turned to nervousness as he said in a hurry,

"Uncle Guanting. Notify Father, NOW!"

Without a second to spare Chen Guanting replied in a serious tone,

"Already on it, Young Master!

"The patriarch will be here soon!"

A bit of relief seemed to come from this response, as Chen Fei's tense shoulder loosened a bit and instead of running around shouting he was now just biting his nail while muttering some incomprehensible nonsense under his breath.

Throughout this whole ordeal, I was stunned and speechless, and could only think to myself in bewilderment for the second time today,

Just what the hell is going on here?!

...